John left home at 15 and began playing with Joe Beard at about that same time. Joe introduced him to the first and most enduring influence on the development of Mooney’s music, the legendary Delta blues singer, Ed “Son” House. Impressed by the 16 year old musician’s talent, Son and John soon became friends. “I wasn’t aware of what the opportunity meant, but I knew there was nobody better in Delta blues.“ Mooney cites Son’s heavily rhythmic style having a strong influence on him. In fact, the way Mooney adapts acoustic playing to a modern electric format is one of his most distinctive trademarks.

In 1976 John moved to New Orleans and immersed himself in that city’s vibrant music scene. John regularly played with the likes of Earl King, The Meters, Snooks Eaglin, and the man who was to influence his music greatly, the father of New Orleans piano, Professor Longhair. He was playing regularly in front of New Orleans drummers like Zigaboo Modeliste, John Vidacovich, and Herman Ernest. At this place in time John successfully combined the sounds of the delta with the syncopated rhythms of the Crescent City to create the style that has become uniquely his own.

Since 1981 he has been touring with his group, the Bluesiana Band, performing throughout the U.S., Canada, Panama, Europe, Australia, and Japan. After the loss of long time friend and band member Jeff Sarli, Mooney has called upon Rene Coman of the Iguanas for Bluesiana Bass rhythms and renowned New Orleans drummer Kevin O’Day to keep the beat. Over the years John and his band have earned a musical reputation that have gained them invitations to play at numerous folk, jazz, and blues festivals across the globe, including the Montreaux Jazz Festival, the Newport Folk Festival, the Chicago Blues Festival, and a yearly appearance at New Orleans’ world renowned Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. 21+

PLEASE NOTE: Advance ticket sales have ended for John Mooney as of 3:15 on 8/19. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door for $15.

www.johnmooneylive.com

Trying to describe Brave Combo’s music requires a pretty extensive vocabulary – at least when it comes to musical styles. For the past three decades the Denton, Texas based quintet has perfected a world music mix that includes salsa, meringue, rock, cumbia, conjunto, polka, zydeco, classical, cha cha, the blues and more. They are America’s Premier Dance band and a rollicking, rocking, rhythmic global journey — offering what one critic recently wrote, “Even if you come for the party, you’ll leave with something of a musical education.”

Brave Combo’s catalog of recordings range from Japanese pop to Latin American dance tunes, to the orchestral classics to rock and roll at its finest. The band has recorded with the late Tiny Tim, and were the band Talking Head’s David Byrne chose for his wedding reception. From festivals and fairs of all varieties across the globe, rock clubs big and small, colleges, roadhouses, dances, cultural centers (including the annual Midsummer Night’s Swing at Lincoln Center in New York City) Brave Combo has charmed countless listeners and won avid devotees. The band has won two Grammy Awards and been nominated for their work 7 times.

www.myspace.com/bravecombo

Doors 8pm / Show 9pm / $10 adv /$12 door

Tickets are now available at the door only.

This will be a special night with The Last Waltz Ensemble featuring an all acoustic set of rare Dylan and The Band tunes.

www.myspace.com/lastwaltzensemble

www.myspace.com/caseyfrazier

Doors at 8 pm, Show at 9 pm

$8 adv / $10 dos

Advance tickets may be purchased on the show post (please click show title link above from front page).  Please be advised that this a paper-free will call ticket, you will not receive anything in the mail.  Your name and the number of tickets you purchased will be on a list at the door.  Please bring a photo ID to redeem.  Also, Groupons cannot be used for advance tickets sales but can be used at the door.

This party will reach capacity. For adv tickets: http://hoodinternetgramo.eventbrite.com

Specializing in mashups of hip-hop (from the mainstream to the underground) with indie rock, The Hood Internet releases their music for free on their website. A venture that helped them earn notability as an internet phenomenon. The Hood Internet is composed of Aaron Brink (aka ABX) and Steve Reidell (aka STV SLV).

For those wanting to get even more grimy get there early as opening up will be London Calling’s own DJ Clockwork. If you have ever been to one of his parties then you know the floor is going to get sweaty.

Starting the night off is up and coming AutioMadic. Followed by Memphis TN ‘s own Electro City Djs and more!!

The show is $5 at the door. Hope to see you there!!

Out of 8,000 bands in a national competition to go on tour with Motley Crue, WATERSTREET made it to the final 6 to audition in front of the Crue at a sold out Whisky A Go Go show on Nov 10, 2008…along with The Key Club in L.A., Milwaukee Summerfest, Taste of Chicago, Summer Camp Music Festival, opening slots for Tantric, Blue Oyster Cult, Gin Blossoms and Gregg Rollie & the Santana Band.

WATERSTREET’s recent successes are the result of an original sound that rocks everything else on the scene. All young members were raised on the greats of rock and roll, and went on to attend the top music schools in the nation. With two front men lead guitarists, a driving rhythm section, and an arsenal of original music, WATERSTREET is the real deal at a live performance.

Originally formed by the two front-men lead guitarists, Evan Hand and Joe Shadid, WATERSTREET has evolved into a 4-piece rock band with bassist, Mike Crusen, and drummer, Rob Gould. Their popularity in the midwest is growing at a rapid rate. The years of writing music and playing gigs has set WATERSTREET apart from many other bands their age. WATERSTREET fans run the gamut, from expert musicians to the most novice music fan. The band’s youth is key in connecting with a teen audience, while their knowledge of music attracts an older crowd who is impressed with the group’s classic sound. No matter where they perform, a person will never see an unenthusiastic live show by WATERSTREET.

The band worked with Grammy-nominated producer Rick Barnes at Rax Trax studios in Chicago, IL and recorded their new release “Meant For Thrills.” With lots of hard work and support from everyone, the album is now complete and was released on 12/01/07.

Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. $5/21+

www.myspace.com/waterstreetband

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Join us and 88.1 KDHX in celebrating the 2 year anniversary of THE GRAMOPHONE!!! We are gonna get down and dirty with The Diplomats of Solid Sound plus JC Brooks and Uptown Sound

Since the release of their first 7-inch single, “Bullfrog Boogaloo,” in 2001, the Diplomats of Solid Sound have been mining America’s vast deposits of soul music to create a sound all their own — a spare-but-spicy groove sired equally by progenitors such as Booker T., James Brown and The Funk Brothers. Now, after three full-length releases as an instrumental outfit, the Diplomats of Solid Sound have expanded the family with a trio of sultry sirens who liked to be called the Diplomettes for a new set of soul stunners they like to call “The Diplomats of Solid Sound, Featuring The Diplomettes.”

The album is available on CD and for download from Record Kicks. This supercharged new set of prime cuts is a dance party in a jewel box, guaranteed to groove its way into your head and your body — and get both moving fast! Its sound is both new and old. Timeless. Soul. Full-length DOSS releases “Instrumental Action Soul” (2001, Prescription Records), “Let’s Cool One”(2003, Estrus Records) and “Destination … Get Down!” (2005, Estrus) captured the band in its natural habitat, a dimly lit bar where people appreciate a good smoke, a vodka gimlet and a funky little combo that knows how to get the cats and kittens out of their seats and onto the dance floor. The sound got the boys a gig backing R&B legend Andrew Williams, with whom they cut “Aphrodisiac.” It was released by Pravda Records and Spanish label Vampisoul in May 2006.

Born in the great melting pot of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood in 2007, guitarist Billy Bungeroth, drummer Kevin Marks, and bassist Ben Taylor (Beat Down Sound/September Sessions soundtrack) joined forces with the Lowdown Horns to lay a ferocious foundation for the soulful shouts of Mr. JC Brooks. The son of a Jersey funk diva set adrift by the disco era, he’s renowned for his take-no-prisoners stage style, leaving audiences with no other choice than to get up and move! JC Brooks is determined to become the next in a long line of classic Chicago Soul singers; Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, Syl Johnson – JC has learned from them all, and he’s got no illusions about what it takes to become a classic.

Brooks & co. finished off 2009 with a bang, playing to ecstatic crowds throughout the Northeast as part of the Numero Group’s critically acclaimed Eccentric Soul Revue (called “dapper and potent” by the New York Times). They’ve collaborated with greats like Syl Johnson, Tortoise’s Dan Bitney, Renaldo Domino, and the Impressions’ Nate Evans. They’ve appeared on WGN-TV and BBC 6, cut a live session for influential indie radio station WFMU, racked up rave reviews throughout Europe, and been featured in the Chicago Tribune, TimeOut New York & Chicago, and the Chicago Sun-Times. Following up their explosive debut Beat of Our Own Drum (Vampisoul/Rabbit Factory) with the relentlessly funky new Get It Together single (featuring a stomping cover of Wilco’s “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart”) and a full slate of North American and European dates, these intense young soul stirrers are bringing it to your door, ready to tour, score, and not be ignored.

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound are for the people remaining awake through a great revolution… for people who want to move and not just sit tight… for soul people! Guaranteed to make you dance by any means necessary, JC Brooks is the new sound of Chicago.

The Diplomats of Solid Sound MySpace
JC Brooks and Uptown Sound Myspace

Doors at 8 p.m.
Show at 10 p.m.
$8/21+

Tab Benoit Myspace
Doors 8pm
Show 9pm
$20 General Admission

Joining him on tour are Sahtyre and DJ L.A. Jae (Shapeshifters) plus Serengeti (Anticon) will be down from Chicago and STL local legends Midwest Avengers will round out the bill.

2Mex Myspace
Sahtyre Myspace
DJ L.A. Jae

Doors 8pm
Show 10pm
$8 21+, $10 18+

The formation of Uncle Lucius is a Texas tale in the truest sense. Four unique musicians of the Lone Star State , each living in their own hamlets, brewing up a dire need to put together a soulful southern rock outfit, sometimes can’t help but find each other.
Austin TX natives Uncle Lucius
Uncle Lucius Myspace

Also performing

The Dirty 30′s are local rockers who are ready to step it up.

The Dirty 30′s Myspac

Doors 8pm
Show 10pm
$5 at the door

The Lowdown Brass Band Myspace

Doors at 8pm
Show at 9pm
$5 at the door

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